The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-07
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS.
Facts About the vandaiia.

1t 10 now eighty days since what is known as
the c., A. & D.-Vandalia deal was announced,
and since that announcement was made there
has been hardly a day in which there did not ap-
pear some criticism based unreliable inform
alton, grossly exaggerated and liable to injure
innocent parties. These criticisms sometimes
originated in Western papers and were extensive
iy copied in Eastern papers, and all revealed ig-
norance regarding the deal and the property
No one who has been over the Vandalia system
and understands the location of tie road, Its ad
vantages in terminal facilities, the immense
business developing daily on the line, its
excellent physical condition and superior
equipment will for moment question
that it has a grand future. and should the
exaggerated statemsnts of the amount of money
that young Ives took from it be true it would
not seriously impair the value of the property
and would not increase the indebtedness of the
road 81 200 per mile, which, with its light bond
ed debt, makes the rumors that have been pub
lished seem ridiculous and strained to extent
which is merely sensational. In six months.
with the immense traffic over this road, the loss
even if it be great stated which is not
true, would be overcome without interfering
with the road paying its operating expenses and md
fixed charges In the Vandalia system are 423
miles of main line, 240 of which Is IN
splendid condition, having been virtually
rebuilt Within the last nve years; tncn there are
1873 miles which will compare favorably in it's
physical condition with 80 per cent. of the West
ern roads, and is steadily being improved. In
addition to this, there are some fifty miles of
branch tracks leading valuable coal mines,
thirty-three miles of it being in Clay county.
Indiana. The right-of way nearly the entire
distance between Indianapolis and St Louis IS
one hundred feet in width. and between Terre
Haute and South Bend eighty feet in width, and
there is no litigation hanging over one foot OF it,
Further, but few roads in the country
than has the Vandalia all of which is of the best
class. The company has large and w ell equipped
shops at Terre Haute. and shops OF less pre-
tensions at three other points, all first-class in
their appointments The more one ponders over
the condition of this valuable property the more
absurd do the statements which have appeared
from time to time of late In the press of the
country appear.
Mr.. Spencer VIII Succeed ME-. Garrett
BALTIMORE, Sept 6-The Baltimore Ameri-
can of this morning says: THE question to
who shall succeed President Carrot is settled.
Mr.. John King, jr., who was looked upon favor
ably cannot take the position, because he is
virtually trustee of the Erie road, as we'll as it's
president Mr.. A. j. Cassatt mentioned.
but his intimate relations with the Pennsylvania
road were against his acceptabilty. The man
whom the syndicate have settled upon pos
sessing all the requirements for the place is Mr..
Samuel Spencer. the present first vice president
of the Baltimore & Ohio road. Not only his
ability as a manager and his work in connection
with the road commend him, but when he con-
Quoted the negotiations which ended in the con-
tract, the syndicate became thoroughly inn
pressed with his qualifications that it took only
a short time for the men to agree upon him as
Mr. CARROTS successor. They recognize the
fact that lie will give the road progressive ad-
ministration and will do much any man
can do to maintain its thorough independence,
while steering clear Of entangiing competitions.
The choice of Mr. Spencer is with Mr.. CARROTS
full concurrence and approval.
mir. Spencer is about forty years old, and is a
married He entered the Baltimore d
Ohio's service q clerk and worked himself up
until he became chief clerk to William Sharp,
who was master of transportation. When Mr..
Sharp became president OF the Long Island road
he offered Mr.. Spencer a responsible position at
several times the salary that the B. 81 o.
paying him. He accepted and filled the place
until called back by the Baltimore & Ohio to
fill one of it's vice presidencles He has been
very valuable man, and during Robert CARROTS
administration especially, his services have
been extensive He is hard worker, without
any peculiar brillancy, but with cool head aud
an exhaustiess amount of push. and his selection
will meet with general approval"
Western Shippers Will Be Heard.